Made up for tools used in crimping machines

ABSTRACT

IMPROVEMENTS MADE UP FOR TOOLS USED IN CRIMPING MACHINES, wherein the said tools bring a technical advance while compared to their basic operations, that is, for instance, the tool “guillotine and crimping” has multiplied its lifetime by six, i.e., sextupled the crimping applications of this tool; the “profile and crimping matrix support”, which used to be a sole piece, brings a refill-blade; the assembly “hammer bar”, which cuts, bends and prints the metal band in the crimping tools, allows for its hammer to be sharpen up to six times before its replacement, expanding its lifetime by six times, lowering the relative cost. The “anvil” tool, which helps the bending of the metal band, used to be in a sole milled piece, now are composed by two pieces fastened by themselves, wherein the cutting blade is twofold, lowering the cost and duplicating the tool lifetime.

[0001] This invention relates to improvements made up for tools used in crimping machines and, more specifically, relates to improvements which are made up in view of increasing the crimping machines productivity, lowering the costs involved in replacing worn out pieces, also allowing for a machine high efficiency with a entire quality control of the executed connections.

[0002] In general electric field, the connections between wire and wire, cable and cable, or cable and wire are known, and they have been performed by a crimping system, which comprises a semiautomatic equipment, provided with a metal band reel, equipment which, in a sole hit, feeds, cuts, bends and crimps cables with wires or cables and wires with electric terminals for general applications.

[0003] The referred crimping machines generally are assembled by an electrical module and a pneumatic one, which are associated to a support for the metal band reel which feeds the support module of the cutting tools, bends and crimps.

[0004] The tools support module relates to the operating mechanism of crimping and, by this reason, allows for the exchange of tools, which are appropriate for each desired operation.

[0005] Although this machine brings a technological improvement for the electrical connection, since it has completely replaced the weld utilization, the same brings a considerable inconvenience in connection with the sort of its operation tools, i.e., the machines, which have currently been used, brings its tools made up from steel-tool pieces. Each such tools has an estimated lifetime to work for about 300.000 crimpings, which means a one-month utilization period for a industry with a regular working hours. After this limit has expired, the tool is discharged and replaced by another one under ideal new conditions.

[0006] The main problem found in this market is generated from the said tools high manufacturing costs, once they are manufactured from prime material of high quality and accuracy, which considerably burdens the small and medium manufacturers in the related field.

[0007] In order to bring solutions to the mentioned inconvenience of the prior art and, thus, to improve and increase the productivity of the mentioned system, the Applicant has developed improvements made up for tools used in crimping machines, wherein each one brings a technical advance while compared to their basic operations, that is, for instance, the tool “guillotine and crimping” has multiplied its lifetime by six, i.e., sextupled the crimping applications of this tool; the “profile and crimping matrix support”, which used to be a sole piece, brings a refill-blade, lowering by about 70% its cost of replacement in comparison with the usual pattern; the assembly “hammer bar”, which cuts, bends and prints the metal band in the crimping tools, allows for its hammer to be sharpen up to six times before its replacement, expanding its lifetime by six times, lowering the relative cost. The “anvil” tool, which helps the bending of the metal band, used to be in a sole milled piece, now are composed by two pieces fastened by themselves, wherein the cutting blade is twofold, lowering the cost and duplicating the tool lifetime.

[0008] As an illustrated example, taking in account the tool “hammer bar” used for cutting, bending and printing the metal band, a result found is that the original or usual tool comprised a sole piece, milled in order to define a blade wherein, in one of the edges, a base lies for an eccentric piece (the hammer support), while in the other edge two guides were manufactured for the vertical sliding of the hammer, fastened to the eccentric piece, which corresponds to a steel bar provided with a sharp edge for the printing of the segments in the metal band; in every printing, the cut segment is enclosed in the crimping tool, being automatically riveted in the cable or wire. All such operation is done in a sole hit.

[0009] Each time the hammer reached its lifetime end, the same was replaced because, as the supporting tool is fastened to the machine with accurate adjustments, and if the cutting edge of the hammer was sharp, the distance between the band and the crimping tool would be modified, entirely intervening in the operation. By this reason, it was impracticable the sharpening and mandatory the total replacement of the hammer.

[0010] In accordance with the improvements developed by the Applicant for the tools, the same has manufactured a bar in tool-steel, which keeps being a support of the eccentric and of the hammer. However, this piece is assembled in six different standardized lengths, wherein compensation elements are placed on the base piece, in order to compensate each sharpening of the hammer, aiming not to modify the assembly length and, consequently, its functioning.

[0011] This aim is reached because the edge of the base piece is provided with a board to fasten the hammer guides and wedge or chocking plates (for compensation) which allow the variation of their sharpening. In this way, each time the guide reaches its lifetime end, the same is again brought to the manufacture and sharpened by a 0.5 mm calculated each time, up to a five times in total. When returned to the supporting tool, compensation wedges are placed in the guide. The referred guides are duly adjusted in oblong hollows. Thus, a maximum sharpening up to 2.5 mm takes place, when the same are, finally, replaced by new other ones, for new operations. It is noted that, in such situation, a sole guide may be used six times more than the guides used in the prior art.

[0012] Another illustrated example referring to the improvements made up in this invention is related to the tolls of the assembly “guillotine-crimping”, which in the previous art used to have a parallelepiped base in steel-tool manufactured with a top head provided with a sole kind of matrix or crimping profile, being assembled, still in this base, the guillotine support and the guillotine itself.

[0013] In each lifetime end of the crimping profile, due to the printing, all the piece was replaced, assembling a new base to the guillotine.

[0014] The Applicant, aiming to extended such tool lifetime, has redesigned the base, bringing it not only a support for the guillotine, but also for a six bladed piece, wherein a crimping profile manufacturing is provided with for each angle of the bladed piece, which may be like the other remaining five or different between themselves, extending not only the piece lifetime, but also varying its application through a simple turn of the angle of the matrix piece of the profiles.

[0015] With another piece, the proceeding undergoes the same way, that is, the special matrix for crimping bolt, most known as “Horn-Matrix”, used to be a whole piece assembled in tool-steel, all tempered and corrected, containing in one of its edges only a crimping profile. After expiring this profile lifetime, the whole piece was discharged and replaced.

[0016] The Applicant, following the previous way, has redesigned this piece, which keeps being manufactured in tool-steel but started to be assembled in two parts. One piece constitutes the base or the support while the other one stands for a refill-blade, both containing a crimping profile in the edges which may be identical, constituting two lifetime (doubling the duration) or different, allowing for the flexibility of the applications of different products. Such result is obtained by releasing a central axis-screw and equidistant in relation to the two matrixes, turning the same and again screwing it.

[0017] It is noted on the above examples and on the previous explanations that tools lifetime reutilizing and extending is an important industrial application in the field of the crimping machines fed up with metal band, because it allows for a large reduction of the relative cost, without losing the operation qualities and accuracy.

[0018] For a better understanding, the present invention will be detailed as follows, making references to the attached drawings, given for example purposes, in which:

[0019] The FIG. 1 is a perspective view, illustrating a crimping machine and some possible operations, shown in the details;

[0020] The FIGS. 2 and 2A bring the tool “hammer bar” improved, viewed in perspective and respectively assembled;

[0021] The FIG. 3 is a side cut view of the “hammer bar” in accordance with the indication of the FIG. 2A;

[0022] The FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the tool “guillotine and crimping”, improved in accordance with the invention, in exploded perspective views and respectively assembled;

[0023] The FIGS. 6 and 7 bring illustrations in exploded and assembled perspective of the tool “support for the double anvil and refill-blade of the double anvil”;

[0024] The FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 bring the tool “horn-matrix” viewed in exploded perspective and respectively assembled.

[0025] In accordance with the illustrations above described, the object of this present invention relates to IMPROVEMENTS MADE UP FOR TOOLS USED IN CRIMPING MACHINES, machines (1) of a semiautomatic sort fed up by metal band reel (2), which has a electrical module (3), framework (4) and support module of tools (5), able to fasten several tools of the kinds (A), (B), (C) and (D) which feed, cut, bend and crimp the cables and wires (6) between themselves or cables (7) and wires (6) with electrical terminal (8).

[0026] According to the present invention, the tool of the kind (A) (see FIGS. 2, 2A and 3), is provided with a laminate support bar (9), which has an enlarged edge (9 a) with screwed hollows for fastening the support module (5), edge from which an orthogonal bolt (10) is protruded; the other edge, thinner, has a lower area (11) and parallel sides (11 a); and four oblong hollows (13) and two holes (14) are provided with in the lower area. In the oblong hollows, two guides (16) are fastened by means of screws (15) in an “L” shape resemblance, which keep an appropriate space between their parallel sides (16 a); compensation wedges (17) are fastened in the holes (14), the said wedges being provided with a rounded slope (18) in one of the apexes; in the passage below the enlargement (9 a), lies a quadrilateral piece (19) with an eccentric axis (20), which brings a split (21) with a trespassable hole (22), provided with for the enclosing and fastening of a “hammer” (23), assembled by a bar in special steel which, in one edge (23 a) is trespassed by a elastic bolt (24), while the other edge (23 b) is sharpened for printing the metal band in the crimping tools, described below.

[0027] The present tool has six total different dimensions of pairs of compensation wedges (17), with a variation calculated by 0.5 mm between each of the wedges pairs, so that the hammer (23) may be sharpened by 0.5 mm, in a six times total, up to be replaced individually and definitely.

[0028] The oblong hollows (13) allows for the gradual adjustment of the guides (16), adjusting them in relation to the hammer sharpening (23) and the corresponding wedges (17).

[0029] As shown by the FIGS. 4 and 5, the tool (B) comprises a parallelepiped support (24) provided with oblong hole (25) for being fastened to the machine (1) and, brings longitudinal splits (26) on the top, assembling two small sides (27) (27 a), wherein screwed holes (28) are provided with in the side (27) while a short central lower area (29) is provided with in the side (27 a); both external sides edges (27) and (27 a) are sloped (30).

[0030] In the split base (26), and fastened to the holes (28), a guillotine-carrier (31) is provided with, bringing a laminate passage (31 a) and a strong passage (31 b) wherein the guillotine (32) itself is fastened, spaced by a compression spring (33); in the laminate passage (31 a) and, consequently, a six bladed laminate piece (34) is fastened within the split (26) interior, with a central hole (35) and angles (36) in which crimping profiles (37) are manufactured.

[0031] The referred piece (34) may have its angles (36) with crimping (37) manufactured with identical or different profiles, varying the application.

[0032] In accordance with the FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the toll (C) comprises an “L” shape support (38), with a oblong hole for the machine (1) fastening, whereby the top flat horizontal passage of the referred support (38) is provided with a slightly lower area (40), producing parallel sides (41), wherein the said slightly lower area is provided with a splitable teeth (42) and with a screwed hole (43). The manufactured blade (44) with the profile crimping (45) is fastened to this hole (43); the said blade, and only it is replaced when its operation lifetime ends.

[0033] The tool (D), in accordance with the FIGS. 6 and 7, is compounded by a parallelepiped support (46), having an extended passage (46 a) for fastening the printing tool or other, which brings, in its quadrangular passage, two short external protruding (47), which assemble ranging guides for the piece, while a “T” shape tear is provided in the internal, central and orthogonal position to the guides (47) for the placing of a double blade (49), provided with a hollowed out aperture (50) concentric to the hollowed out aperture (51) provided with in the support (46), wherein both aperture are trespassed by an elastic bolt (52) which fastens the pieces between themselves.

[0034] The referred double blade (49) has firstly a side of its cutting area worn out. As soon as its lifetime is expired, the same is turned inside out for a new consumption of the other cutting, in this way duplicating its operation.

[0035] Although the invention has been detailed, it is important to understand that the same do not limit its application to the details and phases herein described. The invention can be used in other ways as well as to be assembled and executed in a wide range of ways. It must be understood the terms herein used are made only for a description purposes and not to any kind of limitation. 

1. IMPROVEMENTS MADE UP FOR TOOLS USED IN CRIMPING Machines, machines (1) of a semiautomatic sort fed up by metal band reel (2), which has a electrical module (3), framework (4) and support module of tools (5), able to fasten several tools of the kinds (A), (B), (C) and (D) which feed, cut, bend and crimp the cables and wires (6) between themselves or cables (7) and wires (6) with electrical terminal (8); tools (A), (B), (C) and (D), featured by having a duplicate or sextupled lifetime:
 2. IMPROVEMENTS MADE UP FOR TOOLS USED IN CRIMPING MACHINES, in accordance with the claim 1 , featured by the tool of the kind (A) being provided with a laminate support bar (9), which has an enlarged edge (9 a) with screwed hollows for fastening the support module (5), edge from which an orthogonal bolt (10) is protruded; the other edge, thinner, has a lower area (11) and parallel sides (11 a); and four oblong hollows (13) and two holes (14) are provided with in the lower area. In the oblong hollows, two guides (16) are fastened by means of screws (15) in an “L” shape resemblance, which keep an appropriate space between their parallel sides (16 a); compensation wedges (17) are fastened in the holes (14), the said wedges being provided with a rounded slope (18) in one of the apexes; in the passage below the enlargement (9 a), lies a quadrilateral piece (19) with an eccentric axis (20), which brings a split (21) with a trespassable hole (22), provided with for the enclosing and fastening of a “hammer” (23), assembled by a bar in special steel which, in one edge (23 a) is trespassed by a elastic bolt (24), while the other edge (23 b) is sharpened for printing the metal band in the crimping tools.
 3. IMPROVEMENTS MADE UP FOR TOOLS USED IN CRIMPING MACHINES, in accordance with the former claim, featured by the tool of the A kind having a six total different dimensions of pairs of compensation wedges (17), with a variation calculated by 0.5 mm between each of the wedges pairs, so that the hammer (23) may be sharpened by 0.5 mm up to a six times total.
 4. IMPROVEMENTS MADE UP FOR TOOLS USED IN CRIMPING MACHINES, in accordance with the former claims, featured by the oblong hollows (13) allowing for the gradual adjustment of the guides (16), adjusting them in relation to the hammer sharpening (23) and the corresponding wedges (17).
 5. IMPROVEMENTS MADE UP FOR TOOLS USED IN CRIMPING MACHINES, in accordance with the claim 1 , featured by the tool (B) comprising a parallelepiped support (24) provided with oblong hole (25) for being fastened to the machine (1) and, brings longitudinal splits (26) on the top, assembling two small sides (27) (27 a), wherein screwed holes (28) are provided with in the side (27) while a short central lower area (29) is provided with in the side (27 a); both external sides edges (27) and (27 a) are sloped (30); In the split base (26), and fastened to the holes (28), a guillotine-carrier (31) is provided with, bringing a laminate passage (31 a) and a strong passage (31 b) wherein the guillotine (32) itself is fastened, spaced by a compression spring (33); in the laminate passage (31 a) and, consequently, a six bladed laminate piece (34) is fastened within the split (26) interior, with a central hole (35) and angles (36) in which crimping profiles (37) are manufactured.
 6. IMPROVEMENTS MADE UP FOR TOOLS USED IN CRIMPING MACHINES, in accordance with the claim 5 , featured by the piece (34) having its angles (36) with crimping (37) manufactured with identical or different profiles.
 7. IMPROVEMENTS MADE UP FOR TOOLS USED IN CRIMPING MACHINES, in accordance with the claim 1 , featured by the tool (C) comprising an “L” shape support (38), with a oblong hole for the machine (1) fastening, whereby the top flat horizontal passage of the referred support (38) is provided with a slightly lower area (40), producing parallel sides (41), wherein the said slightly lower area is provided with a splitable teeth (42) and with a screwed hole (43). The manufactured blade (44) with the profile crimping (45) is fastened to this hole (43); the said blade, and only it is replaced when its operation lifetime ends.
 8. IMPROVEMENTS MADE UP FOR TOOLS USED IN CRIMPING MACHINES, in accordance with the claim 1 , featured by the tool (D) being compounded by a parallelepiped support (46), having an extended passage (46 a) for fastening the printing tool or other, which brings, in its quadrangular passage, two short external protruding (47), which assemble ranging guides for the piece, while a “T” shape tear is provided in the internal, central and orthogonal position to the guides (47) for the placing of a double blade (49), provided with a hollowed out aperture (50) concentric to the hollowed out aperture (51) provided with in the support (46), wherein both aperture are trespassed by an elastic bolt (52) which fastens the pieces between themselves. 